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T-Mobile The Young and the Scammed / web
The Young and the Scammed Episode 3
What seemed like the career opportunity of a lifetime turned into a dangerous situation.
Credit Card Scammers: Street Gangs on the Dark Web
VICE met up with a full-time scammer for a look inside the shady, lucrative world of stealing credit card info on the dark web.
VICE News Tonight on HBO
This startup is using blockchain to prevent foodborne illnesses and reduce food waste
OwlTing's blockchain technology could change how we deal with food-borne illness, fraud and food waste.
VICE News Shorts
Weed fraud: Are you getting cheated?
Pot market plagued by fudged potency and purity
Martin Shkreli on Drug Price Hikes and Playing the World's Villain
An interview with a 32-year-old entrepreneur, company builder and the new poster child of capitalistic greed.
How To Get Away With Stealing
If the fraud industry were its own country, it would have the fifth strongest economy in the world, just ahead of the UK.


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GLOBAL: Vinexpo confirms new CEO
Guillaume Deglise, Vinexpo's new CEO
Vinexpo, the international wine and spirits exhibition group, has appointed a new CEO.
Guillaume Deglise, 39, previously MD of Laurent-Perrier's Switzerland unit, has officially taken over from Robert Beynat, who steps down after 33 years of leading the group.
Deglise has spent his career to date working in the Champagne sector. He spent four years as export manager for Bollinger, before moving to Laurent-Perrier as an export director. For the past 18 months, he was also in charge of the brand’s development in China.
“Vinexpo has grown thanks to its loyal exhibitors and the fact that its visitors have strictly professional status,” said Deglise. “Together, we will continue to build the future of our exhibitions in order to strengthen the role we play for the benefit of wine and spirits industry professionals worldwide.”
Outgoing CEO Beynat is taking on the role of special advisor to Pierre Goguet, president of the Vinexpo Directorate and chairman of the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for the exhibitions being held in Asia next year.
Jackson Family Wines' president Rick Tigner sprung to prominence in the US through appearing on reality TV show 'Undercover Boss'. But, away from the bright lights of TV-world, the 52 year-old remains...
With recent claims that China has become the world's biggest consumer of red wine, Chris Losh considers what wine producers can learn from the current travails facing international spirits companies i...
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- What's coming up in spirits in 2017? - Comment
- Remy Cointreau's YTD performance - Focus
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- The Next Seven Big Beverage Markets
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- Opportunities in Craft Spirits
- Global Cognac insights - market forecasts, product innovation and consumer trends

domain: news


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Bain & Co. points out that China’s luxury market registered “a second straight year of 20 percent growth in 2018,” which accounts for one-third (294 billion) of the global market. But in a country that’s now oversaturated with luxury brands, only a few can perform well while others are sure to fall behind.
Louis Vuitton is one brand that’s at the leading edge of the field, and according to the Gartner L2 Luxury China Index, the French fashion house is now the top luxury brand in China. This caught some Kering fans, who are familiar with Gucci’s success in China, off-guard. It was just in 2016 that Bomoda and R3 Worldwide rated Gucci as the country’s top brand in Study of Social Media Influencers. Moreover, Gucci was one of the few Western brands to use mainland marketing models even in their international campaigns — a fact that was widely celebrated in China. Aside from that, many in the industry truly believed that only Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele could fully understand China’s younger consumers, but apparently, that is not the case.
Now, Louis Vuitton is registering “unheard-of growth rates” in China, and this begs the question: How did they do it? Below, Jing Daily breaks down the five major reasons behind Louis Vuitton’s runaway success and where they can improve in the future:
In the past few years, Louis Vuitton began reaching out to millennials and Gen Zers, which turned out to be a brilliant money-making idea. In the not-too-distant past, heritage brands only wanted to be associated with excess wealth and privilege. But today’s luxury is more inclusive and less hostile. By collaborating with streetwear brands (Supreme), partnering with young influencers (Selena Gomez, Karlie Kloss, and Emma Chamberlain), and building an online presence that connects with younger consumers, Louis Vuitton has created a global uproar while rewriting the rules of audience engagement in this booming marketplace.
Their digital performance is especially striking. With 7.38 million Twitter followers and 33 million Instagram followers, Louis Vuitton is leading the social media revolution globally and is proving that a heritage brand can be savvy with social media. While some heritage brands (Chanel) have remained highly inaccessible, Louis Vuitton continues to break new ground with social media engagement — an attitude that’s atypical for luxury brands, who are often slow to engage with consumers online. Specific to China, Louis Vuitton attracted younger customers by highlighting streetwear collaborations and leveraging the power of KOLs in that country. Choosing rapper and television celebrity Kris Wu as their brand ambassador was an audacious move that sent both fans and haters into a frenzy while allowing social media conversations about the brand to thrive.
For all the talk about embracing digital innovation, most luxury brands have taken a slower approach to that change, and several luxury houses still haven’t integrated consistent digital brand experiences. Yet, according to Digimind, a global social media intelligence company, 93 percent of consumer engagement with luxury brands takes place on Instagram, and 40 percent of luxury purchases are influenced — to a certain degree — by online content. So why haven’t brands moved faster to digital? It seems as if many still don’t know how to create a personalized digital experience or maintain a digital storefront that can generate traffic or sales. In contrast, Louis Vuitton is a digital pioneer, having just recently created a WeChat Mini Program specifically for the launch of their Virgil Abloh-designed sneakers.
Louis Vuitton has remained cautious with their distribution rights, and this vigilance has benefited the brand in the long run. Eventually, if a luxury house expands excessively (as Gucci has, for instance), it hurts the brand’s overall status and value. Ralph Lauren is the perfect example of this. Due to international licensing agreements and aggressive sales policies, the brand lost much of its original identity and ‘snooty” appeal in China. Despite the fact that brands can now reach more potential consumers than ever, the allure of luxury is all about its exclusivity, and no one wants to invest in a widely available premium item. Louis Vuitton fans know that the brand doesn’t have sales or a wholesale policy for department stores. Because of this, Louis Vuitton keeps their production and pricing in check, therefore, always maintaining their high-end appeal.
According to the South China Morning Post, Louis Vuitton streamlined China operations “to create a better consumer experience and improve margins.” Michael Burke, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, says that Louis Vuitton closed eight stores in China but refurbished their existing ones. Moreover, all stores were supplied with full merchandise lines, including the highly coveted prêt-à-porter collections.
According to a statement from Louis Vuitton, their Fashion and Leather Goods department “delivered an exceptional performance” in 2018. A lot of that is because, through artistic collaborations (like the one with contemporary artist Jeff Koons in 2017, for instance), Louis Vuitton has resurrected iconic leather accessories, with younger consumers now enthusiastically embracing those products.
Additionally, Louis Vuitton decided to take the customization trend a step further by starting their “Now Yours Run Away” personalization program for sneakers in October 2018. Since authenticity and self-expression are important to China’s younger consumers, they like influencing the design process of the products they buy. This is why the customization trend responds well to their needs. In this case, Louis Vuitton found a balanced blueprint for success by adapting a long-selling product with strict considerations for quality and design to resonate with younger consumers.
What then is next for Louis Vuitton in China? They supposedly will continue to invest in cross-channel customer experiences. But if the French luxury house is serious about keeping its pole position, it must stay relevant. WeChat and Douyin have become great marketing platforms in China, but Louis Vuitton needs to find new, innovative ways to reach their consumer base. Furthermore, one issue that remains is finding a balance between the brand’s heritage and these types of innovation.
Louis Vuitton is a digitally-minded forerunner in the field, but mature consumers might distance themselves from the brand because of overexposure. While the French luxury house is doing a great job at building awareness and talking to Gen Zers and millennials, they seem to be overlooking the potential of the mature consumers who have been their staunch supporters in the past. This is a heritage brand that moved from ads starring 20th-century titans like Mikhail S. Gorbachev and Francis Ford Coppola to instead featuring video game characters and teenagers in their campaigns. The future of Louis Vuitton depends on keeping younger generations of consumers around without neglecting their loyal, mature luxury buyers. Speaking to different niche groups one-on-one is the solution.
In short, Louis Vuitton needs to discover new growth opportunities without damaging the reputation of the brand. Managing brand exposure in the new global economy is a real balancing act, but no brand is better positioned to walk this tightrope than the luxury market’s reigning champ.


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According to VentureBeat, Capcom has a new entry in development in the Darkstalkers series. According to the recent report, it will be produced by Street Fighter IV and Street Fighter X Tekken producer Yoshinori Ono.
The unannounced fighter would use a modified version of the SF X Tekken engine, which itself is modified off of the Street Fighter IV engine. Principal development on SF X Tekken was said to be complete towards the end of 2011, which is when Ono supposedly shifted his attention to Darkstalkers. There have been six games within the series, but the last one was back in 2004.


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Thorsten Heins spoke earlier this morning during the BlackBerry Q1 2014 earnings call. He did say some key details regarding BlackBerry’s future of devices and the PlayBook tablet.
One more BlackBerry 7 device will be coming this year in 2013, for those international users dependent on the BIS, also was quoted as halting the development of BlackBerry 10 coming to the PlayBook tablet.
Heins is focused solely on BlackBerry 10 smartphone devices, the BlackBerry 10 OS on the PlayBook has been put on hold, for now, we may never see it.
With only 100,000 PlayBook shipped in the first quarter, it has been clear that Heins is not focused on the tablet industry.
More to come..


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College football kickoff weekend on ESPN platforms delivers strong engagement for brands
13 College Football Playoff Official Sponsors: AT&T, Allstate, Capital One, Chick-fil-A, Cheez-It, Dr Pepper, Gatorade, Goodyear, Mercedes-Benz, Modelo, Ram Trucks, Taco Bell and Vrbo are each returning as College Football Playoff Official Sponsors. Each brand will have a presence from kickoff through the CFP National Championship game.
17 Newcomers: New to the action this year are 17 sponsors including Avocados from Mexico ®, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Signet (Zales), among others. Avocados from Mexico® is making a big splash as the newest sponsor of Tailgate Week on ESPN. During Week 7, the brand will welcome fans to its“Guacgating” program with custom branded advancers, with ESPN highlighting the great tailgating scenes at each Tailgate Week game across the country. IHG Hotel & Resorts has emerged as the presenting sponsor of the ESPN Prime window and Signet (Zales) is presenting the ESPN Noon window.
48 Returners: Notable names returning for more fan-fueled games this year include Mercedes-Benz, Modelo and Vrbo among others. Mercedes-Benz has signed a new agreement reaffirming its College Football Playoff sponsorship and extending its position as an SEC Official Sponsor. In addition, this year Mercedes-Benz collaborated with ESPN to create a custom designed, Mercedes-Benz and ESPN College Football Sprinter Van that will travel to five college football game sites across the nation this year, including a stop at the College Football Playoff. ESPN’s Jen Lada will host a segment from the custom Sprinter Van at each stop that will air within ESPN’s College Game Day podcast. In their third year as the Official Beer Sponsor of the College Football Playoff, Modelo is going deeper with their Full Time Fan campaign, as they worked with ESPN to create a new and custom sponsorship surrounding overtime on ESPN platforms. Vrbo returns for its second year as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl entitlement sponsor and the Official Travel Sponsor of the College Football Playoff with a huge presence throughout the regular season. Additionally, the brand has collaborated with Disney CreativeWorks to develop custom content that will air throughout the season.
65 all-encompassing sponsors to have presenting sponsorships, entitlements and features integrations throughout live programming: This season’s sponsors include 2Brand Apparel; 3BRAND; Aflac; Allstate; Apple; Arby’s; Ashley; AT&T 5G; Avocados From Mexico®; Behr Paint; Burger King; BMW; BWW; Camping World; Capital One; Cheez-It; Chick-fil-A; Cintas; Coke Zero; Coors Light; Cracker Barrel; Dave & Buster’s; Dell; Direct TV; DoorDash; Dot’s Pretzels; Duluth; Dunkin’; Duke’s Mayo; Dr Pepper; Eckrich; GEICO; Gillette; Goodyear; Guinness; IHG Hotels and Resorts; Invesco QQQ; Lexus; McDonald’s; Mercedes-Benz USA; Modelo; Nationwide; NFCU; Nissan; Old Dominion Freight Line; Old Trapper; PNC Bank; Papa John’s; Prudential; Progressive; Rain X; RAM Trucks; Royal Caribbean; Signets (Zales); SlingTV; State Farm; Taco Bell; The Home Depot; T-Mobile; Twisted Tea; USAA; Vrbo; Wendy’s Beef and Zillow.
Disney continues to attract the most diverse and engaged audiences across its breadth of sports rights and programming, and ESPN platforms once again offer some of the most anticipated college football matchups for fans to enjoy throughout the season. In addition to reaching the largest swath of football fans each September, they’re also the most invested. In 2022, ESPN celebrated its most-watched full season for football in six years, with a total of 150 million fans tuning in to college football and NFL games, while ABC aired its second most-viewed Kickoff Weekend on record.


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MANCHESTER, UK - In what may be the biggest proclamation since Mario decided to swap particle physics for plumbing and the Master Chief gave up on poetry and picked up a pair of pistols, Dan Muir and James Paterson would like to announce the creation of Japanese Storm PR.
Made up of game industry veteran Dan Muir and industry heavyweight (although the diet is going well) James Paterson, Japanese Storm PR has been set up to provide the highest quality public relations and communication services for discerning clients from the gaming and technology sectors.
Dan brings valuable experience from the gaming and hardware world to the table, having spent more than a decade working behind the scenes on a wide range of gaming sites. Dan has also conducted interviews with gaming luminaries such as Jon Hare, the man who practically defined Britsoft for the best part of fifteen years. He's also worked on a number of other sites and magazines.
James meanwhile has a wide range of experience in the mobile and gaming sectors, having spent the last few years working with one of the UK's largest mobile providers, working to internally promote some of the biggest device and service launches to diverse audiences across the country, as well as coordinating a wide range of events. He has also spent time as a journalist of fortune, freelancing for some of the best and possibly the most obscure publications, both print and online, in the gaming and technology industries.
Speaking at one of the exclusive launch events, James said, "We've got experience as gamers and we've got experience writing for gamers, so moving into writing for writers who write for gamers seemed a natural progression. We've worked across a wide range of media and want to put this experience to good use, helping to spread the word about all kinds of new products."
Dan, holding court at another launch event, commented, "Playing with the game or getting to know the technology you're representing is vital and having been on the other side of the fence, actually reviewing items, James and I know what media want and demand."
Japanese Storm PR is open now for all your public relations, communications and consultation needs. If you'd like to get in touch to discuss your upcoming projects and find out what Japanese Storm can do to help make them even better, please email Dan and James on firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Google Assistant’s integration with third-party note apps will cease on June 20th. This is according to a developer post informing the change. AnyList is in talks with Google regarding the change. It hopes to re-add integration at a later date.
Google Assistant Smart Displays, discovered by in April of this year, will no longer be supported
AnyList stated in its post integration with Amazon Alexa or Siri is still possible. There are currently four options in Google Assistant’s settings for note app integration: Any.do (or AnyList), Bring Shopping Lists (or Google Keep), and Google Keep. Google Keep may still be available after the changes.
Keep will not be integrated with Google Tasks. In February, announced that it would consolidate reminders from Google Assistant and Google Calendar. This means that anyone using Keep will not be able to benefit from the consolidation, as their reminders will not be added to Google Tasks.
Does this mean Keep, along with so many other beloved apps, will be a part of Google’s graveyard for third-party lists and notes? We have reached out to Google and will update you if we get a reply.


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Nissan is working on a new generation Qashqai model which is scheduled to be unveiled in 2021. But until then, the Japanese car manufacturer has decided to keep its fans happy with a teaser picture.
It is a teaser picture of the interior and there are some interesting facts going out there. First, we see a fully digital 12.3 inch instrument cluster which will be configurable in many ways.
Also, there is a new 10.8 inch head-up display for the high-end trim levels. According to Nissan, this will be the biggest HUD in the segment.
Another important change is the new nine-inch touchscreen display that will sit atop the center console. It will have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and will be matted to a ten-speaker Bose sound system.
According to a report, the new Qashqai will have a roomier interior: an extra 28 mm of knee room in the back and an extra 15 mm of headroom both front and rear.


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Swedish fashion house H&M has been fined $40,200 in China for misleading customers, according to a report in the South China Morning Post.
H&M’s advertisements said certain products were only available in China, something which was not true and which could lead consumers to purchase the products based on false information.
Chinese authorities also confiscated 30,000 yuan in “illegal income” for the sale of “substandard products”, and ordered the business to cease publication of the illegal advertisements and to stop producing and selling products that don’t meet China’s quality standards.
The fashion retailer is one of several that have been high on China’s radar since it said it was concerned by reports of forced labour in the Chinese province of Xinjiang – something China has refuted.
China is one of H&M’s largest markets, with more than 500 stores across the country, though has seen sales in the region slump as Chinese consumers boycott the business for its views.
According to Reuters, the business saw its products wiped from Alibaba-owned Tmall, its app was deleted from local app stores, and, potentially as a result, saw a 28 per cent year-on-year drop in sales in China between March and May.
H&M hasn’t commented on the latest fine, but has previously said the situation in China is “complex”.


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Over the past few months, we've been inundated with constant stories about the future of Yahoo. Will it be gobbled up Microsoft? Will Yahoo get away? For quite a while, no one was quite sure. But after seeing what's going on with Google and the deal it may soon strike with Yahoo, the writing could be on the wall.
Last week, Yahoo announced that it had formed a temporary deal with Google that involved the company outsourcing its search ads to Google. At that time, the online firm said that it would give it a two-week trial period to see how it worked and make a decision after that time.
But after foregoing that two-week stipulation and deciding instead to try to form a deal now, Yahoo seems anxious and more willing than ever to sell itself to any other company but Microsoft.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Yahoo and Google are closer than ever to forming a deal that would see Yahoo increase its revenue by as much as $1 billion per year and throw a wrench into Microsoft's plans post-acquisition.
And while the Journal is reporting that the Yahoo-Google deal may have a stipulation in it that says it can be dissolved if Microsoft acquires the company, I'm not so quick to believe that any deal between the company won't put the hooks in Microsoft.
And if you ask me, when the deal is reached, Microsoft will be forced to back off.
So why do I think Google is such an important part of the deal with Yahoo and Microsoft? It's simple -- Google is Microsoft's arch rival and neither company wants anything to do with the other. And because Google doesn't want to see the merger happen, it knows that this sweetheart deal with Yahoo could turn the tide.
But let's also not forget that Microsoft doesn't want to see the Google deal happen either. Last week, the company said that it was extremely displeased by the development and thought it would be bad for all parties involved.
"This would make the market far less competitive, in sharp contrast to our own proposal to acquire Yahoo," Microsoft said. "We will assess closely all of our options. Our proposal remains the only alternative put forward that offers Yahoo! shareholders full and fair value for their shares, gives every shareholder a vote on the future of the company, and enhances choice."
Let's face it -- Microsoft is not naive to what's really going on with the Google deal and it understands the ramifications if such a deal is struck. Not only would it be forced to call in reinforcements to get some of the fence-sitting shareholders back on its side, it would need to figure out exactly what it can do after the Google deal is made.
Right now, Yahoo is dealing with a relatively hostile group of shareholders that would like to see the Microsoft deal get done. That said, they're unhappy with the fact that Microsoft's lower stock price has diluted the value of its offer from $31 per share to about $29 per share. Because of that, some shareholders that were firmly in Microsoft's corner have been asking for more cash and Jerry Yang and company has been able to fend off any pressures so far because of it.
That said, Microsoft is unwilling to increase its cash offer right now and believes (rightfully so) that it shouldn't bid against itself. But what Microsoft may have failed to realize is that Yahoo is doing all it can to find other ways for Microsoft to bid against itself.
Aside from the deal with Google, Yahoo is desperately trying to seek suitors and so far, AOL has shown the most interest. And although it won't be acquired outright, Yahoo would allow Time Warner to take a 20 percent stake in it and totally change the dynamics of the entire industry.
So far, no deal has been reached with Time Warner, but let's not forget that a deal with Google could make it easier. After finding $1 billion in a deal with Google, Yahoo suddenly becomes a far more attractive target for Time Warner and many others that wouldn't mind working alongside Google. With that, Yahoo can finally acquire some leverage and use Microsoft against itself to get out of its stranglehold.
Here's how I see it happening: Google and Yahoo will form a deal by the end of this week or early next week. After that, Microsoft will come out and say that the deal is an extremely ridiculous move on the part of the Yahoo executives and just another example of the company's managers not knowing what to do.
After announcing to shareholders on April 22nd when it's forced to reveal its earnings that the Google deal has been struck and should bring in an additional $1 billion per year, some of those leaning on the fence that are already upset with the diluted Microsoft acquisition price will give Yang and shareholders a reprieve and wait to see what happens.
After that, companies that are more willing to work with Google (like Time Warner) will get serious in their talks with Yahoo management, which suddenly has a new lease on life, and will offer Yahoo deals that will make Microsoft sweat.
Upon realizing that its support is eroding and it has no real prospects to acquire Yahoo without a ridiculous sum of cash, Microsoft will back out and this whole saga will end.
Will this definitely happen? Who knows. But if Yahoo plays its cards right and can strike deals at the right time with the right companies, Microsoft will have a problem.
Now back to your regularly scheduled soap opera.


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After ZTE unveiled the ZTE Blade S6, a smartphone which runs the latest version of Android, the company is set to release another handset that will feature the Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system - the ZTE Blade L3.
|ZTE Blade L3|
It sports a 5-inch display with 540 x 960 pixels resolution. It is powered by 1.3GHz quad-core MT6582M paired with 1GB of RAM and 8GB internal memory. It features 8MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and 2000 mAh battery.
- Display: 5-inch, 540 x 960 pixels resolution
- Processor: 1.3GHz quad-core MT6582M
- RAM: 1 GB
- ROM: 8GB
- Rear Camera: 8MP
- Front Camera: 2MP
- OS: Android 5.0 Lollipopp
- Battery: 2000mAh
The ZTE Blade L3 will come in several color variants including unique pearlescent colors. The company has not announced when and where the handset will be released but it is expected to cost around $250.


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It’s been more than a week since Apple’s WWDC 2019 keynote and now it’s time to look back and…[squints to read] realize what a failure it was.
That seems wrong, but that’s what it says here.
Yes, writing for the Forbes contributor network and sock puppet theater, Greg Petro says that “At its Core, Apple Is No Longer Innovative.” (Tip o’ the antlers to Peter and Gary.)
Just this week at Apple’s much touted WWDC 2019, the company unveiled—you guessed it—more mundane updates to its iOS software for iPhone and iPad…
Clearly Petro has talked to developers and not a one is excited about SwiftUI.
Programming stuff? At a developers’ conference? Puh-leeze.
Still, if you’re just an end user of one of Apple’s operating systems, there’s at least one thing to get excited about beyond the smaller things that Petro mentions like dark mode and new apps. Curiously, it’s a thing that Petro never mentions even once, and you’ve probably already guessed what it is because you are one of the Macalope’s savvy and sultry readers: privacy.
It’s the feature that pundits never want to discuss because it’s such an obvious Apple advantage. You’d think that maybe they’d have heard about it since it was important enough for The New York Times to run a “Yeah, but…” op-ed piece by Google’s CEO on its pages, which just happen to run undisclosed Google tracking scripts.
As I mentioned in January, what we are experiencing is the slow and steady decline of Apple.
Mmm-hmm, yes, that is certainly the big takeaway from this year’s WWDC. How could anyone…think…uh…anything other than…that?
Okay, look, the Macalope can’t up the faux agreement: It’s too exhausting and, in this instance, sort of itchy and nauseating at the same time. Actual Apple developers—the people who the conference was for—were really quite excited by last week’s announcements. There are only two reasons why someone could get this so wrong: abject failure to understand what was announced or deliberate shenanigans.
Here’s a look at a few of the most visible places Apple is falling down:
Dear reader, you might be thinking “This oughta be good.”
Oh, it will, the Macalope assures you.
The Folding Phone
Yes, Apple is woefully behind on products that fail dramatically during reviews and have to be canceled before a single unit ships to customers.
This is how Petro describes the supposed foldable phone market:
Earlier this year, Samsung and Huawei unveiled the first folding phones, with the new Galaxy Fold on sale in April.
Indeed! It did go on sale! And then all sales were canceled because if you folded the Fold it broke. Seems like that might be a salient point worth mentioning but…I guess not since Petro does not. Now the Macalope’s leaning toward shenanigans. Which, by the way, is the name of his first solo album.
Petro also mentions AI as an area where Apple is behind without (as already noted) mentioning privacy, because who cares about that? He also lists “Retail Stores” on a list of items that are supposedly places where Apple is “falling down,” which is pretty hilarious considering Apple famously makes more per square foot at its stores than Tiffany does.
Seems like a big problem.
The Apple Watch is also apparently in trouble because—and, please, swallow any liquids that might be in your mouth before reading this—“Huawei is hot on Apple’s tail.” Huawei: the company that, while seeing growing smartwatch sales, currently sells fewer than half as many as Apple does, was recently banned from selling products in the U.S., and which had its ARM license revoked.
But Apple’s the one that’s in trouble.
Apple will need to introduce and own an entirely new product category nobody knew they could live without—and fast.
Yeah! Like $2,000 folding phones with screens that break when you, uh, actually fold the phone.
Now, earlier the Macalope told you to clear your mouth of all liquids before reading on. For Petro’s coda, however, the horny one really thinks you might want to consider several days of fasting before reading on because the hilarity could cause any number of gastroenterological expressions.
While it’s likely that many die-hard Apple supporters will hang on for a little while longer…
You know, maybe through the weekend. Possibly as long as Wednesday next. But we just don’t know.
…Apple is the house that innovation built. Without innovation, there will be no more Apple.
Everyone talks about the lack of innovation at Apple but nobody talks about the lack of innovation in “lack of innovation” articles about Apple.
Rest assured that, as long as the company exists, there will continue to be opinion pieces about its impending doom that will somehow fail to mention the most obvious of the company’s strategic advantages.


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Jay Z released a new version of a diss track hitting out at Spotify, Apple and Google (AAPL, GOOG)
Jay Z has released a new version of a track that hits out at rival streaming services from Apple, Google and Spotify.
The track, "Stream of Consciousness," was performed live as part of a concert in New York that Jay Z held for users of his newly launched music streaming service Tidal.
In his live show, Jay Z criticised Spotify and Apple for allegedly hoarding money, and also accused YouTube of being a "culprit."
Now, Jay Z has officially released that track on Tidal, re-recording the song and adding a backing track.
Fittingly, the track is only available to people who have paid for a Tidal account. But here are the lyrics:
I don't need no middleman to talk to my n—-s
I understand if you don’t understand, I figure I’m Jigga
That’s where we differ
I take what’s mine, you accept what they they give you, I get you
I don’t take no check, I take my respect
Pharrell even told me go with the safest bet
Jimmy Iovine on for the safety net
Google dangled round a crazy check
I feel like YouTube is the biggest culprit
They pay you a tenth of what you supposed to get
You know n—-s die for equal pay right?
You know when I work I ain’t your slave right?
You know I ain’t shucking and jiving and high-fiving, and you know this ain’t back in the days right?
Well I can’t tell, how the way they killed Freddie Gray right?
Shot down Mike Brown, how they did Tray right?
I hear choking n—-s,
We gon’ turn style, I ain’t your token n—-.
You know I came in this game independent?
Tidal, my own label, same difference
Oh, n—as is skeptical when it’s their own sh-t
You bought nine iPhones and Steve Jobs is rich
Phil Knight worth trillions, you still bought them kicks
Spotify is nine billion, they ain’t say sh-t
Lucy you got some splainin’ to do
The only one they hatin’ on look the same as you
That’s cool, I know they tryin’ to bamboozle you
Spendin’ millions on me to try to confuse you
I had to talk to myself, ain't nothing new to you
Oh well, politics as usual.
NOW WATCH: Here's what happens when you drop an Apple Watch face down on cement


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I’d like to draw your attention to a Cisco blog that came out recently from our Vice President of Global Marketing Karen Walker. Cisco has launched a new brand campaign based on the theme of There’s Never Been a Better Time.
In talking to our customers, partners, and other influencers like you, we are finding that there is a general spirit of optimism about how technologies can help move the enterprise forward. This is great to see after so many years of hard struggle in retail and across all industries. This campaign focuses on how digitization is driving new approaches now – today – to help businesses succeed.
Please take the time to check out Karen’s blog on the new campaign.
As well, please look at our new There’s Never Been a Better Time retail infographic here.


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Ford EcoBoost Wins Fourth Straight Best Engine Under 1.0-Liter Award
Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine has earned widespread acclaim and a number of awards since its debut. Today, it adds yet another trophy to its mantle, earning the title of “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” at the 2015 International Engine of the Year awards. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the EcoBoost has earned this award.
“The 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine changed the game for small petrol engines and we’re proud it remains best in class despite a growing number of competitors,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “The spirit of innovation that helped us create this engine is alive and well and we continue to develop new engines.”
More Ford Tech: Ford Technology Makes Backing up a Breeze
The 1.0-liter EcoBoost was deemed the best in its class based on drivability, performance, economy, refinement, and technology. The award-winners were determined by 87 automotive journalists from 35 different countries.
In addition to its fourth straight “Best Engine Under 1.0-litre” award, the 1.0-liter EcoBoost has also won three overall International Engine of the Year awards, and it was named the “Best New Engine” upon its debut in 2012.
Ford vehicles sold in the United States with the 1.0-liter EcoBoost include the Fiesta and Focus.
More Ford Tech: Technology Spotlight: Ford Sync 3 System
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.


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Master P and Romeo in their P.Miller Designs clothing line, available at Wal-Mart in August 2008
Father-and-son duo, Master P and Romeo, recently returned to their hometown in New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival.
There, not as performers but as motivational speakers, the two shared messages of hope and revealed one of the reasons for starting their new clothing line at Wal-Mart.
“New Orleans is my home, it’s where I was born and raised,” said Master P.
“I was able to overcome an environment filled with poverty, drugs, and violence through education, setting goals, and dreaming big. I understand the financial struggles faced by inner-city families, so I created high fashion clothing at affordable prices that will be available at Wal-Mart in August for back-to-school season. I look forward to coming back to Essence year after year to empower our youth and watch my people grow.”
We ♥ when celebs give back!


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Equistone Partners Europe has acquired a majority stake in Bretèche Industrie, a French supplier of manufacturing and production equipment for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
Céréa Capital, the private equity subsidiary of Céréa Gestion, an investor in agro-food businesses, invested alongside Equistone and members of the company’s management team, according to a statement. Financial details of the transaction were undisclosed, but it is understood the deal value was between €100 million and €150 million.
Equistone wasn’t immediately available to comment.
Bretèche Industrie has approximately 800 employees and has production sites in France, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Last year, the firm generated turnover of €165 million, of which the majority came from exports.
Equistone aims to widen the company’s product base as well as consolidating its positioning in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors, it said in the statement. It also plans to further expand the business internationally, particularly sales in emerging markets.
It is this fund’s second investment in France. In November 2011, Equistone invested in Unither Pharmaceuticals, using its Equistone Partners Europe Fund IV, a €1.5 billion 2011 vintage, which closed in January. Fund IV, which is the first independent fund since Equistone spun out from Barclays in November 2011, has so far made nine investments. It is understood a third of the fund is now deployed.
Last month, Equistone sold Hydrasun, a provider of fluid control equipment and solutions for the oil and gas sector, to fellow private equity investor Investcorp for an undisclosed amount. The exit represented a 2.5x return on the roughly £40 million in equity Equistone invested in the company in 2007.


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HARARE, July 25 (The Source) – Struggling hardware retailer PG Industries Limited has reported a reduced loss after tax position for the year ended December 2015 at $3,9 million from $6,6 million in the prior year, largely on streamlining operations and reduction of interest on debt.
PG which is currently under a scheme of arrangement with secured suppliers, concurrent creditors and debenture holders has been riding on losses for years as the company battles working capital challenges.
Earlier this month it reported that Dewei Investments Limited would purchase its entire share register of 8,6 billion shares for $500,000, setting aside the scheme of arrangement.
Acting chairman Francis Dzanya said the company has been implementing various initiatives to improve company performance.
“The initiatives have resulted in significant reduction in interest bearing debt and operations have been streamlined resulting in cost savings being realised,” he said in a statement accompanying the results at the weekend.
Dzanya said in the year, the company suffered significant reduction in sales volumes due to working capital shortages.
During the year, low retail sales volumes from the group saw its turnover declining 19 percent to $18,9 million while merchandising turnover was 27 percent lower than previous year.
Dzanya said group results for PG Mozambique, which contributed sales of $1,544 million, were not consolidated in 2015 and demand for the company’s products is relatively strong while sales margins remain healthy.
The group’s flagship tile manufacturer, Zimtile recorded a seven percent increase in sales. Concrete roof tiles sales volumes grew by 11 percent while bricks and pavers sales volumes remained flat.
Dzanya said overall margins were maintained despite selling price pressures by improving manufacturing efficiencies at Zimtile.
Looking ahead, Dzanya said the successful take over by Zimtile will revive PG’s past glory as the largest processor and distributor of building materials in Zimbabwe.
The Dewei proposal is set for approval by shareholders at a scheme meeting and extraordinary general meeting on August 5.
The company also expects to commission a new concrete brick making plant in Bulawayo during the third quarter of this year.
PGI’s shares were suspended from trading on the local bourse in 2013, with analysts asserting that the company was technically insolvent.


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CCMA Political greenBrief
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
“We’ve got barrels of cash buried all over the state, businesses being ransacked, and it’s clear that the federal government won’t act. It’s a shock to me that the state government may not act this year either – especially after this bill passed through nearly every step with bipartisan support and little to no opposition.”Senator Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) On Cannabis Banking In California
“As the regulated market in CA continues to evolve, it will likely experience ongoing sales pressure in the near term. However, we remain optimistic that these ‘growing pains’ will ultimately be resolved to achieve a $7B retail market over the next 5 years.”Matt Karnes, Founder Of GreenWave Advisors, On On The Shortfall Of Cannabis Taxes
California Cannabis: The Path Forward, August 29th (CA – San Jose Event)
Join the CCMA, the California Cannabis Industry Association, Lori Ajax, Bureau of Cannabis Control and licensed operators from across the California cannabis industry two days after the end of the 45 day public comment period.Board member Gavin Kogan will be speaking. This is an opportunity for brands and manufacturers to voice their hopes and concerns to the regulators. August 29th from 6-9pm in San Jose. Event details below.
CannaConvos August Mixer: Cannabis Legislation (CA – Sacramento Event)
From patient access to taxation to consumer legal rights, this year’s California legislative session has been incredibly busy for the cannabis industry. Come hear the latest intel and what bills are likely to hit Governor Brown’s desk from leading cannabis advocates in Sacramento. Our discussion will also focus on impacts to YOU and your family/friends.
Marijuana ‘Farmers Markets’ Won’t Happen In California Yet After Bill’s Failure (CA – Cannabis Legislation)
Marijuana Moment (August 18, 2018) Popular marijuana events in California like the Emerald Cup will take on a different flavor than hoped for this year, after a bill that would have allowed licensed growers to sell directly to consumers at temporary events was defeated in the state Legislature. Cannabis producers like the small and medium growers in the northern California counties that make up the Emerald Triangle have for years sold directly to consumers at “marijuana farmer’s markets” and events like the Emerald Cup, a long-running end-of-the-harvest celebration.
Class Action Suit Filed On Behalf Of Cannabis Growers In California County (CA – Cannabis Cultivation)
Marijuana Business Daily (August 20, 2018) A class action lawsuit was filed in an attempt to win back roughly $16 million in taxes and fees paid to a California county by cannabis growers that were hoping to gain local and state licenses. The suit, filed Aug. 3 against Calaveras County in eastern California, alleges county officials “unlawfully compelled” cannabis growers to pay “exorbitant, mandatory registration taxes and fees” in 2017 before banning all commercial marijuana cultivation in January 2018.
California Could Reshape Pot Rules As Legal Market Struggles (CA – Cannabis Market)
The Philadelphia Tribune (August 20, 2018) The nation’s largest legal marijuana market is struggling. Illicit sales continue to thrive. A shaky supply chain has customers looking at barren shelves in some shops. There are testing problems. And a proposal to allow home marijuana deliveries in cities that have banned pot sales could lead to a courtroom fight. A Los Angeles hearing Tuesday provided a window into the state’s emerging cannabis economy, in which early enthusiasm for broad legal sales has been followed by anxiety and frustration across a swath of the industry.
California Cannabis Tax Receipts Fall Short Of Plans, But MedMen Grabs 6% Of Sales (CA – Cannabis Sales)
Green Market Report (August 20, 2018) The state of California released its tax data for Q2 cannabis sales last week. Tax revenue from the cannabis industry totaled $74,240,257.00 million from April 1, 2018, through June 30, 2018, which includes state cultivation, excise, and sales taxes. It does not include tax revenue collected by each jurisdiction. According to GreenWave Advisors, that means that the implied recreational retail revenues increased 36% to ~$290M from $213M in Q1. In addition to the retail revenues, the implied wholesale revenues would have reached roughly $29.9M vs $10.7M quarter-over-quarter.
Job Offer Rescinded After Woman Tested Positive For Cannabis, Only Used Pot Lip Balm (CA – Cannabis Screening)
ABC 30 (August 21, 2018) It’s fairly well known that Proposition 64 made recreational marijuana use legal in California, but there’s one aspect of the law many may not know. Employers can still screen for marijuana use. This story idea came from a viewer. She wrote “My drug test came back positive for weed, except I don’t smoke or eat weed products. What I discovered is I use a lip balm that has weed in it.” The sale of recreational marijuana in the first six months generated nearly 135 million in tax revenue for the state. Some of that tax revenue also came from the sale of topical products such as ointments, creams and even lip balm.
Contamination Threatens Medicinal Cannabis Market, New Frontier Data CEO Warns (USA – Pesticide Use)
Benzinga (August 21, 2018) North American cannabis producers must tackle and reduce contamination of their product by pesticides and herbicides to ease consumer concerns, New Frontier Data CEO Giadha Aguirre de Carcer said Friday at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference. The CEO pointed to a recent industry report from California, the biggest cannabis producer in the U.S., that revealed 84 percent of product tested was found to contain some pesticides.
Cannabis Is Creating A Boom For Biological Pesticides (USA – Pesticide Use)
Forbes (August 19, 2018) As legal cannabis farms take the spotlight, safer methods of pest control are also taking root in more ‘mainstream’ agriculture. With more states enacting medicinal and adult recreational cannabis laws each year, health officials have increasingly warned about the potential hazards of products made from crops treated with certain chemicals. In particular, chemical pesticides have been identified as a threat to cannabis consumers’ health, with potential risks that can vary depending on whether products are eaten, smoked, vaped, or topically applied.
New Bill Would Make Financial Aid Available To Students With Cannabis Convictions (USA – Cannabis Convictions)
Merry Jane (August 20, 2018) Even though cannabis has been legalized in some form in the majority of U.S. states, decades of federal prohibition have left millions of Americans saddled with criminal convictions for smoking, selling, or even possessing weed. The presence of a cannabis conviction on one’s criminal record, no matter how minor the offense, can permanently block access to housing, employment, and education. In 1998, the federal government began denying financial assistance to any student that was convicted for using or selling drugs while receiving federal aid. Every year since, around 1,000 students have had their financial aid fully or partially revoked because of a drug charge.
At The Ballot Box: These Four States Could Legalize Some Form Of Marijuana In November (USA – Legalization)
Forbes (August 21, 2018) Election Day is less than three months away, and voters in four states will have the opportunity to weigh in on marijuana policy. Those ballot initiatives, combined with the Vermont Legislature’s passage of a non-commercial legalization bill in January, Oklahoma’s passage of a medical marijuana ballot initiative in June, and the potential for New Jersey to become the first state to legalize adult-use sales and production through a state legislature, could make 2018 one of the biggest years for cannabis reform yet. With many contested House and Senate races across the country, cannabis is also shaping up to be a major campaign issue.
America’s Invisible Pot Addicts (USA – Cannabis Use)
The Atlantic (August 20, 2018) The proliferation of retail boutiques in California did not really bother him, Evan told me, but the billboards did. Advertisements for delivery, advertisements promoting the substance for relaxation, for fun, for health. “Shop. It’s legal.” “Hello marijuana, goodbye hangover.” “It’s not a trigger,” he told me. “But it is in your face.” When we spoke, he had been sober for a hard-fought seven weeks: seven weeks of sleepless nights, intermittent nausea, irritability, trouble focusing, and psychological turmoil.
Arizona Judge Rejects Autism As A Medical Cannabis Condition (AZ – Medicinal Cannabis)
Leafly (August 20, 2018) Autism is a qualifying condition for medical cannabis in a handful of states, but Arizona won’t be among them anytime soon. An administrative law judge in Phoenix has upheld the Arizona Department of Health Services’ denial of a petition to add autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to the list of debilitating conditions covered by the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.


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Walmart Stores/Flickr (cc by-nc-nd)
Long one of America’s most controversial retailers, Walmart continues it’s aggressive charge to being a more responsible one with the launch of new labels clearly identifying healthier food choices for shoppers.
Starting this spring, the bright green “Great For You” label will appear on Walmart house brands Great Value and Marketside, as well as fresh and packaged produce.
“Walmart moms are telling us they want to make healthier choices for their families, but need help deciphering all the claims and information already displayed on products,” explained Andrea Thomas, the senior vice president of sustainability at Walmart in a press release. “Our ‘Great For You’ icon provides customers with an easy way to quickly identify healthier food choices. As they continue to balance busy schedules and tight budgets, this simple tool encourages families to have a healthier diet.”
Tim Boyle/Getty Images
Whether it’s your dirty little early morning secret to save a few bucks when nobody’s looking, the place you proudly shop to take advantage of those notoriously deep discounts or somewhere in between, everybody seems to have an opinion (and a rather strong one at that) about Walmart. It’s usually not very positive, considering websites like “People of Walmart” or the PR nightmare that results when an idiot customer decides to pepper-spray the place for a waffle iron. Obviously, the real people of Walmart who run the company are well of their public perception, and they’re ready to change it.
Leading with the mission statement: “Together, we will create a more sustainable world to help people live better”, Walmart has launched a new blog called “The Green Room” to start an open dialogue with those “who want to share ideas and partner with us in helping people live better lives around the world”.


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Published: Jun 30,2020
In its Global Wafer Capacity 2020-2024 report, IC Insights breaks down the world’s installed monthly IC wafer capacity by geographic region (or country). Figure shows the installed IC capacity by region as of December of 2019...
The organizers of the upcoming 66th annual IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), the world’s premier forum for technological breakthroughs in semiconductor and electron device technology, have decided to hold the conference virtually this year given the ongoing uncertainties posed by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic...
According to data gathered by BuyShares.co.nz, the global spending on blockchain solutions is expected to surge by 235% and reach $14.4bn in 2023. By allowing digital information to be distributed but not copied, the blockchain technology created the groundwork for the new type of internet...
TAIPEI, Taiwan - Acer today launched Enduro, its new line of rugged notebooks and tablets specially designed to provide the durability, portability and performance needed by professionals working in the field. First responders and industrial manufacturing workers will find the Acer Enduro N7 to be a reliable companion, while event producers and outdoor hobbyists will appreciate the thin-and-light yet durable Enduro N3...
HSINCHU, Taiwan - UMC today announced that the company has received the Texas Instruments (TI) 2019 Supplier Excellence Award. The annual award honors companies whose dedication and commitment in supplying products and services meet TI’s high standards for excellence...
The new supercomputer Fugaku, which is being developed jointly by RIKEN and Fujitsu, has taken the top spot on the Graph500 list, a ranking of the world's fastest supercomputers on data-intensive workloads. The top rank was won by a collaboration involving RIKEN, Kyushu University, Fixstars Corporation, and Fujitsu Limited...
- 1Wistron to Sell Wistron InfoComm Manufacturing and Wistron Investmen to Luxshare Group
- 2Apple to Start Mass Producing Self-Designed Mac SoC, Projected to Cost under US$100, in 1H21
- 3Arrow, Panasonic Industry, and STMicroelectronics Join Forces to Deliver IoT Modules for Smart Appli
- 4AUO and Samsung Jointly Enter the Premium Home Electronics Market with 8K Bezel-less TV Displays
- 5Chip Manufacturing Equipment Spending to Hit Record High $70 Billion in 2021 After Strong 2020
- 6Analog’s $20bn Maxim Deal Another Example of Semiconductor Sector Shakeout, says GlobalData
- 7China Steps up Pace of Mini/Micro LED Commercialization, Total Project Investment Reaches ¥39.1B
- 8CyberLink, Municipal Parking Services to Bring FaceMe Facial Recognition to Sentry Health Kiosks
- 9Delta Launches New Digital Exhibition of Energy-Efficient Solutions
- 10Acer Reports Revenues for June at NT$25.67B, Q2 at NT$65.60Ｂ: Highest Over 10 Quarters


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A new report from Aspect Software, a US software company providing customer engagement solutions, has found that Gen Ys can’t be bothered with a company’s customer service, preferring to solve problems themselves.
The Millennial Report surveyed 1,050 Americans, of which 25 per cent where aged 18-34. The study found companies have to adapt to Millennial’s changing view of customer service or risk consumers taking their business elsewhere.
Some of the findings from the study include:
- 76 per cent of all generations view customer service as a “true test” of how much a company values them.
- 56 per cent of Millennials have stopped doing business with a company because of poor customer service.
- 69 per cent of Millennials say that they feel good about themselves, and the company they are doing business with, when they resolve a problem without talking to customer service.
- Nearly a third of consumers would rather clean a toilet than talk to customer service.
“The average consumer interacts with customer service 65 times a year, yet they are increasingly underwhelmed with an experience that does not reflect consumers’ digital and mobile preference nor their desire to resolve issues on their own,” said Joe Gagnon, senior vice president and general manager of Aspect’s Cloud Solutions.
“As Millennials are more ‘experience-loyal’ than ‘brand-loyal,’ consumer engagement is quickly becoming a far more influential factor in building positive brand perception. It’s imperative that businesses adapt their customer service strategies to deliver an interaction strategy that addresses Millennial engagement preferences.”
Click here for the study.
Click here to do B&T’s ‘Can you think Young Millennials Test’. Score over 80% and you’re rate as a Twotennial. What’s a Twotennial…do the test and find out!


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From loss to profit for Parkson Retail Asia
Department store Parkson Retail Asia has managed a turnaround with profit before tax (PBT) of S$35 million (US$25.8 million) for the year ended June 30, compared to a pre-tax loss of $40.6 million the previous year.
Profit was boosted by gain from a partial disposal of equity interest in Parkson Hanoi (PHCL) of $45.6 million. A subsidiary of the group, PHCL is now an associate company.
On a same-store basis, PBT for the year fell by 46.9 per cent year-on-year to $17.4 million.
For Malaysia, PBT declined by 28.9 per cent through negative same-store sales of -6.5 per cent and weak local currency; Vietnam had a pre-tax loss of $0.5 million with -2.9 per cent same-store sales; there was a pre-tax loss of $3.2 million in Indonesia; while Myanmar’s results were affected by uncertainty arising from redevelopment plans for the FMI Centre where the store is located.
For the group’s fourth quarter, same-store sales grew 21.5 per cent in Malaysia, attributed to early festive buying arising from a shift in the Hari Raya calendar as well as the same quarter last year being hit by low sales following the introduction of the Goods & Services Tax.
New concepts have been initiated, such as introducing Korean apparel, affordable private labels, and specialty shoe stores.
“We have been consolidating our department store space by identifying non-performing stores with the view to closure upon tenancy expiry,” says Parkson.
In Myanmar, the group had a 25 per cent decline in same-store sales, affected by plans to close the FMI Centre, while Vietnam had a 4.1 per cent decline for the quarter, with the discretionary retail environment difficult amid an increasingly crowded retail scene.
Indonesia was more positive with 7.3 per cent growth in same-store sales, mainly because of early festive buying as a result of a shift in the Lebaran calendar.
Overall, gross sales proceeds (GSP) and revenue for the quarter grew by 9.8 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively to $232.1 million and $93.9 million. However, GSP and revenue declined by 10.2 and 9.4 per cent respectively to $967.7 million and $388.4 million.
The group’s pre-tax loss for the quarter was $13.4 million. Contributing factors included impairment on fixed assets for two loss-making stores of $5.4 million, impairment on prepaid rental and rental deposit of $3.3 million, provision on deposit for a managed store in Ho Chi Minh City of $2.2 million, and the initial loss-making periods associated with new stores and businesses.


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Disney has announced that it will distribute Disney & MARVEL GAMES SHOWCASE as an event in the D23 EXPO scheduled to be held from the 9th of next month.
This event is an event where Disney and Marvel games will be announced. In addition to the new title that has not been announced, Disney is a Life Sim Disney Dream Light Valley , which creates a village with friends of Disney Pixar, Lego Game Lego® Star Wars / Skywalker / Skywalker・ Saga ] will be announced.
Marvel is a new studio of Skydance NEW MEDIA, a new studio of the Creative Director of the SRPG Marvel Midnight Sands , a developer of XCOM and Civilization with the theme of the dark side Marvel Universe. A new Marvel work that will be an action adventure game will be unveiled.
Disney & MARVEL GAMES SHOWCASE will be broadcast from 5:00 am on September 10 Japan time.


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BMW to significantly increase electric spending
And there are 20 new or revised models on the way
BMW has committed to boosting its spend on electric vehicle development this year, with board members revealing the planned investment in a press conference last month.
Harald Kruger, chairman of the BMW Group board of management, used his time at the microphone to outline the brand's planned electric rollout. It'll start with the iX3, before expanding to include the iNext and i4.
"Our future is definitely electric," Kruger unequivocally stated during his remarks.
Having invested a not-inconsiderable €6.108 million ($9.74m) in electric mobility and autonomy last year, BMW says that figure could jump to €7.0 million ($11.17m) during the 2018 financial year.
Speaking to media at a special event in Munich last year, Dr. Ian Robertson, member of the BMW AG board of management, outlined how the company will push electric cars to market.
A range of modular platforms will underpin the brand's next-generation cars, with separate platforms for passenger cars and SUVs. Four-motor units ranging from 100kW to 300+kW in output will be used, along with batteries in 60kWh, 99kWh and 120kWh capacities.
Electric models will be badged 30e, 40e and 50e – in keeping with the current plug-in hybrid iPerformance naming structure, which has little to do with displacement or engine output, they're largely arbitrary numbers.
Cars with the 100kW motor are expected to hit 100km/h in around 6.0 seconds, while the quickest offerings care likely to dip into the low-3.0-second bracket.
“The now fifth-generation of our e-drives will launch in 2021, with the BMW iNext," Robertson said.
"We are talking about a scalable modular system here, which means that the technology can also be fitted in models that will have been launched by then. In other words, at this point, we will be able to semi- or fully electrify any model, depending on market demand.”


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Amazon Games Boss Sees Even More Industry Consolidation On The Horizon
Amazon Games boss Christoph Hartmann offers his thoughts on the consolidation of the video game industry, which he believes we will see more and more acquisitions and mergers in the future.
The video game industry has had a bumper year for mergers and acquisitions, with Take-Two’s $12.7 billion acquisition of Zynga and Microsoft’s proposed $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Hartmann says that trend is likely to continue (“Today, the smallest stores have bankers,” he said). Looking further afield, Hartmann believes consolidation will accelerate further to the point that only a handful of companies in the gaming space will remain the same.
“In the long run, we’re all dead. Every business, as long as the state doesn’t intervene, will eventually become a monopoly in some form or another,” he said. “It’s not what I said [we at Amazon are] to this end. What I’m saying is that there are fewer and fewer players. I’ve been doing this for 25 years, from the number of game companies I’ve seen then to now… Now Activision is being sold. Who is left? Take-Two and EA. Take-Two, I don’t know, I think in GTA everyone is turning around because it’s asking for trouble…and EA, there’s all the murmuring there…”
Speaking of which, there have been recent rumors that Amazon may be bidding for Electronic Arts. However, this did not materialize.
However, Hartman did get involved in a deal adjacent to EA. Amazon Games recently opened a new office in Montreal, led by a Ubisoft Rainbow Six veteran.As Hartman said, the core team behind Rainbow Six Siege is about Signed with EA before Hartman heard about the upcoming deal and convinced them to switch to Amazon.
“EA is about to sign them. [They] Called EA and said, “I’m going with Christopher because he seems to play games,” Hartman said.
When it comes to other projects in the future for Amazon Games, Hartmann said he always prefers to build teams organically and create new IP that it fully owns. It does take longer — and Hartmann isn’t closing the door on potential future acquisitions — but organic growth is more appealing to him. Hartman observes that the record for acquisitions is shoddy.
“In my experience, when you buy a game company, half of it doesn’t work. It sounds like a lot of work. Might as well start from scratch,” he said.
GameSpot recently profiled Hartmann, and our article talks about his roots in Germany, where he was in the early days of Rockstar Games, how a dog dictated the cover of a Borderlands game, and how he set out to build Amazon as a ” Disney of the future”. “You can read our full interview to learn more.
The products discussed here have been independently selected by our editors. GameSpot may share revenue if you purchase any product on our site.


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HP Inc. (Palo Alto, CA) said today it’s introducing an industrial-sized 3D printer and expanding its offering of materials for additive manufacturing.
The company is bringing out the new Jet Fusion 3D 4210, a machine HP says can cut the cost of parts by as much as 65%.
The 4210 can process “large volume of materials, north of 1000 liters,” Ramon Pastor, general manager of Multi Jet Fusion, said in a Wednesday briefing held ahead of today’s announcement. The machine “enables continuous operation,” he said.
“We really believe the system is paving the way for industrial-scale 3D printing manufacturing,” Pastor said.
Also, the company said it has developed three new 3D printing materials intended to reduce the cost of additive manufacturing. They were developed at the company’s 3D Open Materials and Applications Labs:
— HP 3D High Reusability PA11 for uses such as prostheses and sporting goods.
— HP 3D High Reusability PA 12 Glass Beads, intended for housings, molds and tooling.
–HP 3D High Resuability Polypropylene for parts needing to be lighter and watertight as well as chemical resistant.
The company will “drive a significant improvement in economics,” said Fabio Annunziata, business director of 3D Materials for HP’s 3D printing unit. HP is seeking to make 3D printing competitive with traditional processes such as plastic injection molding.
HP last year introduced the Jet Fusion 3D 3200 and 4200 printers at SME’s RAPID show. The company has been expanding its 3D printing lineup, moving into metal printing.
Larger industrial companies such as HP and General Electric Co. (Boston) have increased their presence in additive manufacturing, where parts are printed layer by layer from a digital designs. Both have said 3D printing stands to grow rapidly as industry moves from mass production to more production by demand.
“In this journey, we have already disrupted the 3D printing market,” Pastor said. “We are looking to change the whole manufacturing journey.”
HP also said it has added Dressler Group and Lubrizol to its roster of partners helping to develop new 3D printing materials.
Connect With Us


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New studies presented at ESRS 2022 bring SleepScore’s total number of conference abstract publications to 22 for the year, tripling research output from 2021
Carlsbad, CA – SleepScore Labs, the company behind the science of sleep improvement, announced 5 new studies to be presented at the 26th Conference of the European Sleep Research Society. The company’s published research has tripled in the last year and plays an important role in advancing knowledge around sleep health as a bridge between academia, public policy, and consumer sleep research.
“Sleep is too important to be left to chance or ignorance,” noted Colin Lawlor, CEO of SleepScore Labs. “Companies know that their customers demand scientific data behind products before they buy. We are delighted to further the cause by bringing evidence-based insights to population sleep health.”
The research focuses on a wide variety of areas, including the impact of race and income on changes in self-reported sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association between self-reported electronic device usage and objectively measured sleep in adults, and other emerging topics.
Additionally, in partnership with the Sleep Research Society, SleepScore is excited to announce its winners for their first annual Sleep Research Grant, awarding Dr. Kimberly Honn from Washington State University and Ph.D. Candidate, Kelly Kim, from University of Arizona, the opportunity to utilize SleepScore’s non-contact sleep technology to support their novel and high-impact research efforts. The researchers were selected by SleepScore’s Scientific Advisory Board and sleep science team, including Dr. Elie Gottlieb, Dr. Roy Raymann, Dr. Nate Watson, Dr. Shona Halson, and Dr. Rafael Pelayo.
“Publishing the applied sleep science we preach is key to our strategic and academic partnerships,” said Dr. Elie Gottlieb, Applied Sleep Scientist at SleepScore Labs. “It’s also the backbone of our commitment to improving population sleep health through our partnerships with the world’s leading brands and their consumers that leverage our PSG-validated non-contact sleep measurement technology, big-data, and sleep improvement platform. We’re excited to be a bridge between industry and academia and offer world-class researchers the opportunity to use the SleepScore Max technology to measure objective sleep accurately, longitudinally, and non-invasively in a highly ecologically valid manner.”
The 26th ESRS conference commences September 27th-30th in Athens, Greece. SleepScore’s submitted ESRS study presentations can be viewed here.
About SleepScore Labs
SleepScore Labs is the company driving the science of sleep improvement. We’re changing the world by improving sleep, based on science and leading-edge technology. SleepScore Labs was founded in 2016 by a team of sleep experts from companies, institutions and organizations such as ResMed, Apple, Philips, and Harvard.
After studying almost 100 million hours of sleep for over a decade, we offer a suite of services to help consumers improve their own sleep and companies improve their offerings in the space. Our flagship offerings, SleepScore and SleepScore Max, harness best-in-class non-contact technology to track, measure and improve sleep, where we’ve led hundreds of thousands of people on their journey to better sleep and wellness.
SleepScore does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment through its service or its available functions.


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In order to stand out among hundreds of restaurants, you have to be the best at what you do. Detroit restaurant SheWolf has proven that it is. Host Tati Amare spoke with SheWolf executive chef Anthony Lombardo and Lyndsay Green with Hour Detroit about the recognition and what makes the restaurant a winner.
SheWolf is a contemporary Italian restaurant inspired by the city of Rome. The food takes on a classic Roman taste with a contemporary twist. SheWolf takes Italian cuisine up a notch by milling grains and flour in-house and creating a variety of fresh pastas and breads. The fresh ingredients they use are paired with a specific type of pasta allowing the noodles to stand out instead of being slathered in sauce.
Green says Hour Detroit looks for restaurants that are not only delicious but also innovative in the kitchen. She says SheWolf is redefining Italian cuisine and is a special occasion space that you can bring a loved one, or a group of friends.
Watch the video above to see SheWolf executive chef Anthony Lombardo prepare one of the dishes they cook at the restaurant.


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Why choose Indian GCS for Drones?
“Make in India” is an initiative of the Government of India. It was launched by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi Ji on 25th September 2014. In the “Make in India” initiative government has, since its inception, announced several steps to improve the business environment by easing processes to do business in the Nation.
Make in India, according to the supporters is much more than an inspiring slogan. It represents a comprehensive overhaul of processes, policies and implementations. The main purpose of Make in India is to make India a global manufacturing hub, to encourage domestic and multinational companies to manufacture their products in India, creating millions of jobs in the country, attracting foreign investments. With this objective, the initiative focuses on 25 sectors of the economy for job creation and skill enhancement.
Today, the drone industry is one of the India’s most thriving industries. The use of drones in India has seen a rise over the past few years. Considering the various commercial and non-commercial uses of drones in agriculture, aerial cinematography, mining activities, mapping of national highways, disaster management, survey and mapping, the Indian government aims to accelerate the growth of the Drone Industry. The vision is of making India the Global Drone Hub by 2030. Following the drone rules announced in August 2021, several experts have been optimistic about the fact that over the next five years the Indian Drone Market has the potential to grow to Rupees 500 billion. According to estimates by the Civil Aviation Ministry, The Indian Drone Industry can achieve a turnover of Rupees 120-150 Bn by the year 2026. Over the span of the next three years, the government has targeted to attain an investment of Rupees 5,000 Crore in the drone manufacturing industry. The scope of skill development and employment generation is vast forecasting the vision of Drone Industry.
Looking at the gigantic and rapidly growing industry, PDRL has come up with an excellent make in India ground control system (GCS) for drones named AeroGCS, Bharat ka GCS. GCS (Ground control system) is a must for every drone to fly. The excellent features the GCS has, the more ultimate the drone mission would be performed. AeroGCS is India’s first available GCS and mainly complies to the DGCI compliance with all security norms of Government of India, ensuring security of the ecosystem. AeroGCS has four editions:
- AeroGCS Standard is Built to empower Drone Professionals to soar skies with the unique and simplified drone management system. <br/>
- AeroGCS Enterprise is brought to life for Enterprises to Increase productivity and empower business operations.
- AeroGCS KEA OEM is thoughtfully developed for Drone Manufacturers to Scale Faster. AeroGCS, Bharat ka GCS Is a truly Indian GCS to empower your drone missions.
- AeroGCS KEA Defence offers complete suite right from drone firmware to GCS Software with highest possible security.
It’s a contribution of PDRL to make India truly Atma Nirbhar.
AeroGCS is first Indian GCS, brought to life with the thought of delivering simple yet unique experience to the users. Its UI is kept so simple for the users to understand in the first go itself, with the aim to eliminate the complexities in the app and directly focus on the tasks that matter the most. AeroGCS has enhanced capabilities and features that makes drone missions an absolute experience.
As India’s Prime Minister Respective Narendra Modi ji announced his dream in the DFI event 2022, “Har Hath me Smart Phone, Har Khet me Drone, Har Ghar me Samridhi” which means, A smart phone for all, a drone for each field and prosperity for each household. PDRL is contributing and working in this direction for the betterment of Nation. PDRL has thought through the potential of drone industry and thus created end-end resources of AeroGCS, right from documents, certification program for drone professionals to tutorial videos for self-skill development. Candidates can self-learn from the resources designed, appear for examination and get certified with AeroGCS after passing the same. This is with concern to the budding and interested candidates so that more people learn and get jobs in the growing drone ecosystem.
The Standard edition of AeroGCS is available for free, it empowers drone professionals and hobbyist to try their hands on and get a hang of it in the initial usage itself. AeroGCS Standard has thousands of users from the globe. As of now, it ranks on the first page of google organically due to number of users and searches.
We firmly believe India and the globe needs a simple and reliable drone management software and here is AeroGCS, Bharat ka GCS for the World.


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Digital payments ecosystem transformed governance, financial inclusion in India: PM Modi
24 February, 2023 | Pragati Singh
The meeting was co-chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India’s digital payments ecosystem has radically transformed governance, financial inclusion, and the country’s ease of living. The first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting is being held in Bengaluru on Friday with the goal of fostering global economic cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das.
In his opening remarks at the meeting via a video message, PM Modi said, “You represent the leadership of global finance and economy at a time when the world is facing serious economic difficulties. The Covid pandemic had delivered a once-a-century blow to the global economy. Many countries, especially developing economies are still coping with its aftereffects. We are also witnessing rising geopolitical tensions in different parts of the world.”
“We need to collectively work to strengthen multilateral development banks for many global challenges, like climate change,” PM Modi said during the meeting.
According to the Prime Minister, Indian consumers and producers are upbeat and confident about the future.
“We hope that you will be able to transmit the same positive spirit to the global economy. I would urge that your discussion will focus on the most vulnerable citizens of the world. Only by creating an inclusive agenda can win back the confidence of the world,” he told the Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors. The PM emphasised that technology is becoming increasingly important in the world of finance.
“However, some recent innovations in digital finance also pose a risk of destabilisation and misuse,” Prime Minister noted.
He claimed that during the Covid pandemic, digital payments enabled contactless and seamless transactions.
“Over the past few years, we have created a highly secure, trusted and efficient public digital infrastructure. Our Digital payments ecosystem has radically transformed governance, financial inclusion and ease of living. India’s UPI ecosystem can be a template for many other countries. We would be happy to share our experiences with the world. G20 can be a medium for this,” PM Modi said.
He further said, “During our G20 presidency, we have created a new Fintech platform, which allows our global G20 guests to use India’s path-breaking digital payment platform UPI.”
PM Modi has called for a collaborative effort to strengthen multilateral development banks in order to address global challenges such as climate change and others.
“I hope that you will explore how the power of tech can be used for good while developing standards to regulate its possible risks. India’s own experience can be a model,” he added.


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Hero Sells 6,94,022 Two Wheelers in April 2018
Sustaining its strong sales trajectory, Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest single two-wheeler manufacturer, commenced the new financial year (FY’19) with another month of robust sales.
Riding on healthy growth in both motorcycles and scooters during the month, Hero MotoCorp sold 694,022 units in April 2018. This translates into a double-digit growth of 16.5% over the corresponding month in the previous year (April 2017), when the Company had sold 595,706 units.
In April 2018, the Company also created a new benchmark in After-Sales Service with the introduction of an e-commerce portal (www.hgpmart.com) to retail Hero Genuine Parts and Accessories across the country.
Hero MotoCorp capped the previous fiscal (FY’18) with its best-ever monthly sales of 730,473 units in March 2018. It became the only two-wheeler company to cross the seven-lakh monthly sales mark in September 2017 when it sold 720,739 units of two-wheelers.
With the forecast of a normal monsoon this year and a strong pipeline of new products coming up, Hero MotoCorp is confident of sustaining its growth momentum in the coming months.
You can add more to this story by commenting below.


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As far as September’s jobs news is concerned, it might have been better if the government shutdown cancelled the report altogether.
Economists were expecting the report to show an increase of about 180,000 jobs.MarketWatch economists were expecting an even-more-robust 185,000. No change was predicted from August’s 7.3 stronger unemployment rate.
The government also adjusted numbers for August and July, resulting in a July gain of only 89,000 jobs, the weakest showing in a year. However, with August’s upward revision of 24,000 jobs, the net gain comes to 9,000.
Economy is still struggling
Overall, the report paints a picture of an economy still struggling to pick up steam. Hiring in the first two quarters of the years averaged 195,000 new monthly jobs. In the third quarter, the average was 143,000. Although hiring seasonally slows in summer, last year the third-quarter hiring averaged 152,000 jobs.
September’s job growth may have been hampered slightly by the looming government shutdown, though economists expect the total impact to be small and mostly short-lived. October’s report, which, like the September report, will also be delayed, is where the impact will show up.
Today’s report would originally have been released Oct. 4, but the government shutdown that week furloughed most of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employees, including those who prepare the report. There is an upside, which is that the report may be more accurate because in a typical month only about 70 percent of the employers surveyed return their reports in time to be included in the monthly release.
October’s employment report, scheduled for release on November 1, will now be released the following Friday.
September’s report shows some of the biggest jobs gains came from teacher hiring, which increased by 19,800 jobs as school got underway across the nation. Another strong area were those gearing up for the holiday shopping season, especially in wholesale and logistics.
Where jobs were added
The biggest gainers in September:
- Retail added 20,800 workers, including 4,200 jobs in auto sales;
- Wholesale trade added 16,100 jobs;
- The transportation and warehousing sector grew by 23,400 jobs, with the biggest gain coming in transit and ground passenger transportation;
- Construction, driven by growth in residential building, added 20,000;
- Temp hiring increased 20,200.
Overall, 13.6% out of work or underutilized
September had few particularly big losers, though the leisure and hospitality sector dropped 13,000 workers, mostly in accommodations and food service, a consequence of the end of summer vacations.
The non-durable goods component of the manufacturing sector lost 7,000 jobs, but were offset by a 9,000 increase in the durable goods component. Non-durable goods include such things as paper and food manufacturing, textiles, and chemicals.
The number of unemployed workers and those who are out of work and want a job but have stopped looking, didn’t change in September. There were 11.3 million workers officially counted as unemployed during the month. Another 2.3 million fall into the out of work, but stopped looking category. Some 7.9 million more are working part-time because they had their hours cut or can’t find full-time work.
In total, the Labor Department says 13.6 percent of the labor force is out of work or involuntarily underutilized (working part-time).


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Travel in 2023 Isn’t Slowing: Will Economic Headwinds Threaten Hotel Profits?
Travel in 2023 will not be slowing down. This would normally be perceived as good news for hoteliers, but PwC’s Hospitality Directions report paints a more mixed picture for hotels; the report indicates that economic headwinds may threaten the pace of recovery in the industry, despite record highs for metrics like RevPAR this year.
According to James Ferrara, President of InteleTravel, Wall Street stock prices reflect a bullish outlook. Hotel demand is not slowing and the threat of recession is not negatively impacting consumer spending, with 77% of consumers indicating via a survey they would rather spend on travel, and 40% of respondents indicating they would spend on travel in 2023.
What Are Leaf Spots?
Why do leaf spots occur, how do they affect the health and functionality of trees, and what can be done to control and mitigate their damaging effects? Join us as Wes Rivers will explain these questions in-depth. TreeNewal’s VP of Operations, Wes Rivers, shares his expertise on diagnosing, managing, and preventing leaf spot diseases. […]
How do CDI’s Use Iodine Software’s Concurrent Application to Streamline Review Processes?
In an era of digital transformation, healthcare seeks the solutions that streamline processes, provide ROI, and create efficiencies that make a difference. AI solutions are helping physicians and care professionals make better decisions. In Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI), a critical aspect of healthcare delivery, Iodine Software’s Concurrent Application is essential to streamlining CDI review […]
The Tools and Technology You Need to Kickstart Your Business
Running a successful company today isn’t necessarily easier than it was a century ago. At the end of the day, challenges like competition, financing, innovation, and customer support always remain relatively difficult. However, I believe we can safely say that launching a business today is more manageable than ever before. If you have a […]


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NINTENDO is preparing to reissue its miniature replica of a legendary gaming system.
The Japanese firm's NES Classic Mini is based upon a console which was first released in Europe in 1986: the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
The first run of the Classic Mini proved wildly popular and sold out across the world.
Demand for the gadget was so high that eBay sellers were flogging the console for 10 times its original price of £50.
Now the Japanese firm has said it will go on sale again next year.
"Next summer we’ll bring the Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System back to Europe," Nintendo said.
The console comes with 30 classic NES games built in, including Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong and Pac-Man.
Nintendo's system will come with a classic NES controller, which can also be connected to a Wii remote controller and then used to play Virtual Console NES games on a Wii U or Wii console.
The original NES first launched in Europe in 1986 and was the birthplace of several of gaming's most important franchises, including Super Mario, Metroid, Final Fantasy and The Legend of Zelda.
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said: "We wanted to give fans of all ages the opportunity to revisit Nintendo's original system and rediscover why they fell in love with Nintendo in the first place.
"The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition is ideal for anyone who remembers playing the NES, or who wants to pass on those nostalgic memories to the next generation of gamers."
Nintendo has also released a mini version of the SNES, which sold out equally quickly.
It vowed to keep on shipping its SNES Mini Classic to Europe throughout the next year.


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2019 while the new iPhone is not impressive.
While Apple presented the iPhone XS and XS Max iPhone just a month ago, the first reliable information about the smartphones sample of 2019 has already started to do. Today, the most famous analyst in the world Apple Min-CIO Kuo has shared reliable information about the upcoming iPhone 2019.
The new iPhone will be superior sound
In 2019 the iPhone Apple will continue to work to improve the sound smartphones. Stereo speakers in the iPhone XS iPhone XS and Max are 50% louder than the iPhone X. iPhone 2019 is expected to further increase the volume. The sound quality is also will be increased, however, no specific details, the analyst does not know yet.
Protection against water remains the same
But in terms of the water resistance of the new iPhone improvements can be expected. Kuo stated that the protection from dust and water will be unchanged compared to the iPhone XS iPhone XS Max. This means that the iPhone 2019 will be protected from water and dust to standard IP68 and can be submerged in water to a depth of two meters for 30 minutes.
IP68 is the highest protection of your devices from water and dust. Figure 6 in the acronym means the maximum level of protection from dust and 8 the maximum level of protection from water. If the device meets this standard, neither water nor dust can’t get inside.
However, Apple, like other smartphone manufacturers, can increase protection from water. In particular, to provide mobile devices the ability to dive to great depths. However, if Apple will do it, not in 2019.


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From today, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will place a cap on motor vehicle loans.
For vehicles with an Open Market Value exceeding $20,000, the maximum Loan to Value will be 50% of the purchase price, including the COE and relevant taxes where applicable. On the other hand, vehicles with an Open Market Value below $20,000 will have a maximum Loan to value of 60% of the purhcase price. In addition, the loan tenure will be capped at 5 years.
MAS says that the financing restrictions are necessary to encourage financial prudence among car buyers. In this prolonged environment of very low interest rates, there is greater risk of buyers over-extending themselves on motor vehicles.
However, there's a sliver of good news as this new rule from MAS will not apply to commercial vehicles and motorcycles.
Potential car buyers we spoke to were disappointed about this latest change. Mr Charlie Tan, a finance manager at an I.T. firm said, "Buying a new car is next to impossible now with the high COE and this latest MAS restrictions. Does this mean that buying a car is now reserved only for the wealthy and not for middle-income Singaporeans?".


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King’s Lynn man’s Beatles autographs sell for £3,340
A signed Beatles band card belonging to a former musican from Lynn was sold at auction on Saturday for £3,340 to a buyer in Baltimore, US.
The highly collectible card, which previously belonged to Mike Nicholson, was estimated to be worth around £1-1,500 ahead of the Toy and Music Memorabilia auction in Stowmarket.
Oliver Miller, managing director of Bishop and Miller, said: “Overall the auction was a great success with a very high selling rate and most items going for the top of the estimate or over. We had some rare and really interesting pieces across all of the categories, which got a lot of collectors excited. I was particularly pleased to see a vast array of collectors from all over the globe bidding on the auction.”
The total of all items auctioned on Saturday came to over £80,000, including a rare Jeffries Concertina selling for over £4,000 and a collection of Nirvana vinyl’s and memorabilia which fetched £15,000.
Oliver continued: “We are now busily gathering items for our next specialist Toys, Music and Memorabilia auction in November. If you’re a budding collector, watch this space - I anticipate coming across some very exciting pieces over the coming months off the back of this weekend’s successful sale.”


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More and more research is coming out on the Mind-Gut Connection by which they mean the glorious mircobiome that lives in our digestive tract and how it works via the Vagus nerve with our brain. The exciting proof of the direct connection comes from this study Gut bacteria spotted eating brain chemicals for the first time.
Sounds terrifying but do not panic.
Bacteria — along with viruses and fungi — are microbes, and we’re filled with them. For each one of your human cells — that is, for every cell that’s “you” — there are an estimated 10 microbial cells. They live everywhere in your body: on your skin and inside your mouth, your nose, your genitalia, urinary tract, and intestines. …
“Without gut bacteria, we wouldn’t be anything. They are a critical part of us and essential to our health,” Snyder says.
So basically we are all covered in bacteria. It sounds gross but as you read on in this article, there is little we can do about it because they are literally part of our control system!
We acquire our intestinal microbes immediately after birth, and live in an important symbiotic relationship with them. There are far more bacteria in your gut than cells in your body, and their weight roughly equals that of your brain. These bacteria have a vast array of genes, capable of producing hundreds if not thousands of chemicals, many of which influence your brain. In fact, bacteria produce some of the same molecules as those used in brain signalling, such as dopamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Furthermore, the brain is predominantly made of fats, and many of these fats are also produced by the metabolic activity of bacteria.
So where does that leave us? Controlled by bacteria. No.
Fortunately, researchers are beginning to understand the differences between the wrong mix and a healthy one, as well as the specific factors that shape those differences. They hope to learn how to cultivate this inner ecosystem in ways that could prevent—and possibly treat—obesity, which doctors define as having a particular ratio of height and weight, known as the body mass index, that is greater than 30. Imagine, for example, foods, baby formulas or supplements devised to promote virtuous microbes while suppressing the harmful types. “We need to think about designing foods from the inside out,” suggests Jeffrey Gordon of Washington University in St. Louis. Keeping our gut microbes happy could be the elusive secret to weight control.
And it is not just Scientific American that thinks so. Study after study is exploring the mind-gut connection and determining what “good” bacteria can help us reduce cravings and digest foods better.
But there is more. Not only can improving the health of your gut bacteria help you lose weight. Studies have also shown that it can help you improve your mind!
Perhaps the most well-known human study was done by Mayer, the UCLA researcher. He recruited 25 subjects, all healthy women; for four weeks, 12 of them ate a cup of commercially available yogurt twice a day, while the rest didn’t. Yogurt is a probiotic, meaning it contains live bacteria, in this case strains of four species, bifidobacterium, streptococcus, lactococcus, and lactobacillus. Before and after the study, subjects were given brain scans to gauge their response to a series of images of facial expressions—happiness, sadness, anger, and so on.
To Mayer’s surprise, the results, which were published in 2013 in the journal Gastroenterology, showed significant differences between the two groups; the yogurt eaters reacted more calmly to the images than the control group. “The contrast was clear,” says Mayer. “This was not what we expected, that eating a yogurt twice a day for a few weeks would do something to your brain.” He thinks the bacteria in the yogurt changed the makeup of the subjects’ gut microbes, and that this led to the production of compounds that modified brain chemistry.
But wait there’s more. Our gut bacteria can impact not just mood but mental disorders from anxiety to possibly autism.
Anxiety and depression have been thought to contribute to gastro conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A Johns Hopkins expert explains how what’s going on in your gut could be affecting your brain.
So what do you do now? Well care and feeding of your mircobiome is now more vital than ever.
It’s possible that you could reshape your microbiome, giving it a healthier profile,” Petrosino says. This could improve immune function, lower inflammation, and lead to overall better health. Not just a healthy diet, he says, but a more varied diet may be key to fostering a diverse and healthy microbiome. Exercise might diversify gut bacteria, too, says a recent study that showed athletes had more varied intestinal microbes than their non-athlete peers.
Additionally, you can find probiotics on the shelves of nearly every grocery store, pharmacy, and health store now. Make certain they have a mix of good bacteria including bifidobacterium, lactobacillus, streptococcus, lactococcus.
This article, Nurture Your Gut Bacteria — Improve Your Mood and Health, has a few good tips on what to do next including what to eat (interestingly fermented foods like yogurt obviously but also sauerkraut, who knew).
Your gut bacteria is a part of you. Instead of thinking of it as something icky, consider this another body part, an organ that deserves to be treated with the same care and attention that you would your brain.
Because let’s face it. They are connected.